The Arkansas Advocate

From the American Farmer.

The Moon.—It has been a question with us whether a periodical would not be as usefully employed in dissipating error as in disseminating information. As it respects the influence of the moon on the weather, on crops, &c. we have no doubt that the general belief in it has done as much harm to the agricultural interest, as any other evil with which farmers and planters have to contend. How often do farmers omit a favorable season to plant a crop of potatoes, &c. because it is "not the right time of the moon."

Many people will not kill hogs or beef, unless at a particular time of the moon. And when the "right time of the moon" does come, it is at least an equal chance that the state of the weather will not admit of these operations, or some other more necessary business must be performed, and of course they must be put off till the moon comes round again to the proper "time." Almost every body can tell what weather we are to have for the next four weeks by looking at the new moon and its horns.

If the horns of the new moon lay out of their proper direction, and are not perpendicular, they say we are to have a wet harvest and many a good crop is saved by the prompt advantage taken of every clear day; because, they say, we shall have very few such days this moon.

This, to be sure is a very useful error; but its opposite more than balances the account.

When the new moon shows her horns in a horizontal position, somewhat like a section of a bowl upon its side, then they say we have a dry moon, and the hay and the crops are neglected, because "we shall have plenty of dry weather."

Now farmers follow the good adage—"make hay while the sun shines;" which means, do whatever you have to do, and can do, to-day, and let the moon mind her own business, as you may be sure she is inclined to, if you will only let her alone—she cares no more for your potatoes and pork, and exercises no more influence over your operations "than the man in the moon."